Dolphin excursion in Canet-en-Roussillon Sighting of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Lion A childhood dream come true
Dolphin excursion in Canet-en-Roussillon with a naturalist guide on board and a 100% success rate in 2025...
Do you dream of an unforgettable encounter with cetaceans? Embark on a Dolphin excursion in Canet aboard the Navivoile catamaran.
In the early afternoon, escape to the Gulf of Lion for a unique nature adventure, guided by our passionate expert. We set off to discover the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the only truly coastal cetacean in the Mediterranean, regularly present between Port-la-Nouvelle and Cerbère.
With an observation success rate of 99% for the last 30 years, and even 100% in 2024 and 2025 This outing has become the absolute benchmark on the Catalan coast for getting close to animals in their natural habitat. An educational and deeply respectful experience, to be shared with family or fellow enthusiasts.
A dolphin excursion guided by naturalist expertise
Experience a 4- to 5-hour immersion in the heart of wildlife. The Navivoile catamaran welcomes aboard... naturalist guide who shares his passion and knowledge on every outing. Through captivating explanations, you will uncover the secrets of the ecology of Bottlenose Dolphinbut also the fascinating biodiversity of the Gulf of Lion.
This educational approach allows you to truly understand what you are observing, including the cetacean's impressive diet (consuming up to 5 kg of fish per day!) and its group hunting techniques. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to encounter groups of 10 to 50 individuals in Catalan waters. These entire families sometimes enjoy surfing in the bow wave of the boat or leaping more than 3 meters above the water.
Beyond the dolphins, keep your eyes peeled: the Mediterranean holds other surprises, such as the ballet of the gannets, the furtive passage of a moon Fish or the power of a Red tuna hunting.
Awareness and protection: understanding to better preserve
Because observation alone is not enough, our guide also addresses the threats that weigh on the Grand Dauphin todaysuch as pollution or maritime traffic. Thus, you will discover the concrete protection measures implemented on our coastline to guarantee a peaceful future for these cetacean populations.
Reliability and respect for wildlife
With 99% historical success rate and a perfect record over the last two years, Navivoile has established itself as the reference to encounter dolphins. Indeed, our regular observations demonstrate our expertise. Therefore, we respect the unpredictable nature of this unfenced natural environment.
Whatever happens, an adventure at sea offers a total change of scenery. Thus, it is an opportunity to experience a magnificent interlude, where the conviviality of the shipboard combines with the raw beauty of the Mediterranean for a memorable outing.
100% respectful observation: the High Quality Whale-Watching® label
Navivoile is actively committed to protecting the marine environment. Thanks to the brand High Quality Whale-Watching® (ACCOBAMS), we guarantee you an approach that strictly respects the code of good conduct.
Here, the animals are in charge. That's why we maintain a safe distance so as never to disturb their rest. If the dolphins choose to approach and play with the boat—often a magical moment—you can then fully enjoy it, knowing that their freedom remains intact.
Take your memories home with you: your photos are free.
Our team captures the highlights of the match so you can enjoy the moment without constantly looking at your goal. In addition, the guide shares the following with you free of charge: observation photos of your outing. These can be downloaded directly from this site a few days after your excursion. Finally, you leave with a precious souvenir of your adventure at sea!
The Gulf of Lion: a privileged natural sanctuary
The area between Canet-en-Roussillon, Leucate and the Côte Vermeille is among the richest in the Mediterranean. Indeed, the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) finds an ideal habitat there thanks to the confluence of currents. This biological vitality transforms our coastline into a privileged living and educational space for young cetaceans, particularly in spring and summer.
EFGL: A look at the future of the Mediterranean
Off the coast of Leucate and Barcarès, your gaze may fall upon the three floating wind turbines of the project EFGL (Floating Wind Turbines of the Gulf of Lion)In concrete terms, these majestic structures, installed since September 2025, symbolize the energy transition of Occitanie. They currently supply nearly 50,000 inhabitants with renewable electricity, reminding us that preserving the sea also requires solutions for the future.
The itinerary of your dolphin excursion in Canet
To maximize your chances of an encounter, we first head towards the feeding areas. Meanwhile, our experienced observers carefully scan the horizon. As soon as a blow or fin appears, the vessel reduces speed for a smooth approach, in accordance with current regulations.
What you can observe:
- • Bottlenose Dolphins interacting, hunting, or resting
- • Social behaviors : jumps, games and mother-child bond
- • Seabirds : Shearwaters and Northern Gannets in a dive
- • Diverse wildlife Bluefin tuna, sunfish (Mola mola), swordfish, marlin, etc…
- • Modern Horizon : the EFGL floating wind farm
Why is the dolphins' blow so visible?
A dolphin's breath is a mixture of warm lung air and fine water droplets that condense instantly upon contact with the sea air. Expelled at over 100 km/hThis plume of steam laden with oily mucus becomes a fascinating visual and auditory signal during your dolphin excursion in Canet.
If this cruise doesn't quite meet your expectations, don't hesitate to View all our sea excursions to find the sea excursion that suits you. Perhaps you would prefer the morning excursion to go and meet the Bottlenose dolphin in the morning ?
Give this cruise as a gift, or take advantage of our other gift card options to give a gift without worrying about the date.
Ready to set sail? Book your dolphin excursion in Canet online now.